Manchester United Season 2008/2009

[devilsadvocate]

I've just checked back and can't find a thread for the evil red team, so thought I'd kick one off with some thoughts about my old mate Berbasulk.

Watching the game yesterday, I thought Berba just hasn't hit it like he did while at Spurs. During his time at Utd, I can't recall seeing him pull in a long ball from over his head with a sublime touch, or a deft header into the far corner over the keeper, or a magical piece of control followed by a stinging shot into the back of the net, or a looping, dipping, swerving free kick. He's become just another decent cog in a big machine that until yesterday was just churning out the required result. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way saying Berba has been a flop at Utd, because he hasn't. He's still scoring goals and providing assists, but they're just not as pretty, flamboyant or utterly outrageous as they were while he was at the Lane and definitely fewer and further in between. The man was a wizard with us. At the Manc's he's good, but in a more ordinary kind of way - WHEN he's on the pitch, which seems to be happening less and less.

The thing is, do you think it matters to him? He'll win truckloads of medals at Utd in all likelyhood. Do you think there will even be a moment when he looks back and thinks "jeez, I ruled the world at Spurs, but here I'm just in a red shirt with a number of my back"?

I guess at the end of the day, he's playing to win, which we couldn't do regularly enough for him, which is a shame. I constantly dream of a team consisting of current players, plus Carrick, Berba and Jol. It's nice to dream.

[Bully]

yeah its true, his body language says hes not happy maybe. not sure maybe he would have been better left at spurs. he would always get first choice there wouldnt he?. theres to many other players at man united wanting there go aswell. look at tevez .

[BALLHOG]

I've just checked back and can't find a thread for the evil red team, so thought I'd kick one off with some thoughts about my old mate Berbasulk.

Watching the game yesterday, I thought Berba just hasn't hit it like he did while at Spurs. During his time at Utd, I can't recall seeing him pull in a long ball from over his head with a sublime touch, or a deft header into the far corner over the keeper, or a magical piece of control followed by a stinging shot into the back of the net, or a looping, dipping, swerving free kick. He's become just another decent cog in a big machine that until yesterday was just churning out the required result. Don't get me wrong, I'm in no way saying Berba has been a flop at Utd, because he hasn't. He's still scoring goals and providing assists, but they're just not as pretty, flamboyant or utterly outrageous as they were while he was at the Lane and definitely fewer and further in between. The man was a wizard with us. At the Manc's he's good, but in a more ordinary kind of way - WHEN he's on the pitch, which seems to be happening less and less.

The thing is, do you think it matters to him? He'll win truckloads of medals at Utd in all likelyhood. Do you think there will even be a moment when he looks back and thinks "jeez, I ruled the world at Spurs, but here I'm just in a red shirt with a number of my back"?

I totally agree Berba doesn't look one bit interested. Would keep Tevez over him on his work ethic alone. DA after your 2-1 win over Villa you would find it hard to squeeze him in your super side.

[JK]

To put things in perspective, he had to be more of a wizard at WHL mate because he didn't have the same level of world class superstar around him ... Not trying to knock Spurs, but sharing a forward half with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez is markedly different than Keane and Defoe (and any other team for that matter).

He's still shown some fair wizardry this season I think, just not as regularly perhaps, but I'd guess he's also seen less minutes in a powerful United lineup than he did at Tottenham?

[Swooper16]

Berba showed a magic piece of skill earlier in the season (might have been FA cup??) when spinning round a guy on the touch line before setting up Ronaldo. Agree that we havent seen this as often as at Tottenham but i am positive he will get better over the next few seasons. Fergie has a good record with these types of players (ronaldo, Cantona)

[johntheclaret]

Berba's personality will be the main obstacle for Fergie in my opinion.

He was a superstar at Spurs. At Man U he is just one in a pack of also rans behind Roanldo and Rooney.
I'd put him in the pack with Nani, Anderson, Scholes and Carrick. Not sure how well this sits with him as he was a prima donna when at the Yids.

[devilsadvocate]

I totally agree Berba doesn't look one bit interested. Would keep Tevez over him on his work ethic alone. DA after your 2-1 win over Villa you would find it hard to squeeze him in your super side.

Berba is the exact fit for Spurs. When he's on, he's a joy to behold, when he's not, you'd rather be home cleaning the toilet.

We'd have him back, but I doubt he'd ever swallow his pride and return.

[devilsadvocate]

To put things in perspective, he had to be more of a wizard at WHL mate because he didn't have the same level of world class superstar around him ... Not trying to knock Spurs, but sharing a forward half with Ronaldo, Rooney and Tevez is markedly different than Keane and Defoe (and any other team for that matter).

He's still shown some fair wizardry this season I think, just not as regularly perhaps, but I'd guess he's also seen less minutes in a powerful United lineup than he did at Tottenham?

That's the thing. At Spurs, he could waltz around and do as he pleased. If he had an outrageous thought pop into his head on the field, he had no hesitation in trying it on and 99% of the time it came off and he looked like a genius.

At Utd, he's just another cog in the big machine.

[devilsadvocate]

Berba showed a magic piece of skill earlier in the season (might have been FA cup??) when spinning round a guy on the touch line before setting up Ronaldo. Agree that we havent seen this as often as at Tottenham but i am positive he will get better over the next few seasons. Fergie has a good record with these types of players (ronaldo, Cantona)

That was against West Ham in the league I believe. And yes, that was ming boggling that he'd even try it, let alone pull it off.

[BALLHOG]

DA since you started this Man U thread things have gone down hill badly. Damn you

[devilsadvocate]

DA since you started this Man U thread things have gone down hill badly. Damn you

You're right! Don't worry, this thread will be working overtime in 3 weeks time before out trip up Norf. Keep that omen going I say!!!

[Bully]

DA since you started this Man U thread things have gone down hill badly. Damn you

You're right! Don't worry, this thread will be working overtime in 3 weeks time before out trip up Norf. Keep that omen going I say!!!

haha yeah how funny is it since this topic has been here they aint won too much. keep it going to WHOLE year and they might get relegated !!

[devilsadvocate]

And the curse that is this thread struck again today with Man USA out of the FA Cup (Thankyou Mr Berbatov)

Man Ut'd unprecedented 7 trophies is now in tatters. A 'treble' including the World Club Cup, Carling Cup and erm, ah, well actually that's only 2 trophies.

Can't see them winning the Champions League and when they go down to the rampaging Spurs next weekend at Old Toilet, their title chase will be in trouble too.

Love it!

[BALLHOG]

And the curse that is this thread struck again today with Man USA out of the FA Cup (Thankyou Mr Berbatov)

Man Ut'd unprecedented 7 trophies is now in tatters. A 'treble' including the World Club Cup, Carling Cup and erm, ah, well actually that's only 2 trophies.

Can't see them winning the Champions League and when they go down to the rampaging Spurs next weekend at Old Toilet, their title chase will be in trouble too.

Love it!

Take into account Man U didn't have Rooney, Ronaldo or Giggs in the side and alot of young lads without alot of experiance in Fabio, Welbeck, Gibson and Mecheda even though he has scored in his firtst two matches. Don't think they will be scared of you mob DA. As for the Champions League and League think they are well and truely in the race.

[RoosterMarty]

United should account for Spurs at Old Trafford in the league I feel.

Tottenham only managed a 1-0 win over a Coke team, so at full strength we should be fine.

[devilsadvocate]

Man U haven't beaten Spurs in open play this year.
Spurs absolutely battered Newcastle, just didn't quite have the final product to show it on the scoreboard. 1-0 still gets you 3 points though!
Spurs are the form side in the come since Feb. We've taken 19 of a possible 24 points in our last 6, with only a 10 minute slip up against Bastards after one of the most atrocious refereeing decisions you'll see this year.

IMO, Fergie will be more than a touch concerned about playing Spurs at Old Toilet this week. A slip here and the pressure is all on them in the title race. Spurs defence is rock solid at the moment and with Jermaine Defoe back in action, Utd's current frailties at the back could be exposed.

Personally, I can't wait. It's going to be a ripper and I honestly feel we'll at least get a point out of it.

[The Jack]

United should account for Spurs at Old Trafford in the league I feel.

Tottenham only managed a 1-0 win over a Coke team, so at full strength we should be fine.

I can vouch for what DA is saying, they deserved a much bigger win than 1-0, and never looked like conceding so yes, very good game in store at Old Trafford methinks. Hopefully Spurs can do it, that would be awesome for LFC!

[JK]

No disrespect to Tottenham intended, but I don't think they'll get over Man U at the Theatre .. Naturally I hope like hell they do (although we gotta get past Arsenal first, which Im not so sure about)

[RoosterMarty]

Yeah I know they spanked Newcastle around and should have won by more.... Newcastle are playing without a heart at the moment though so you can't read into that too much. Spurs win a few games when it's too late and suddenly they are cocky and once again think they will get top 4 next season.

CP I think you can beat Arsenal even though they did rest a few on Saturday... and your captain won't play... of course I hope Arsenal play like they usually do against the top teams and at least take a point away.

[JK]

CP I think you can beat Arsenal even though they did rest a few on Saturday... and your captain won't play... of course I hope Arsenal play like they usually do against the top teams and at least take a point away.

Hmm Dunno mate, we haven't had too many wins over them in recents times (although I can remember 1 EPL and 1 UCL win at Anfield in last 2 years).

Naturally Im hoping the CL will be a distraction for your mob